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Early Elizabethan England > Challenges to Elizabeth’s reign > Flashcards

Challenges to Elizabeth’s reign Flashcards

1
Q

Why did the Northern Earls rebel?

A

The Catholic earls had lost much of their influence when Mary I died. They also resented Eizabeth for appointing her Protestant favourites like Wiliam Cecil and Robert Dudley.

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2
Q

What two earls were involved in the Northern Rebellion?

A
  1. Earl of Northumberland and his wife
  2. Earl of Westmoreland and his wife
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3
Q

How did the Catholic nobility plan to restore Catholicism?

A

Mary Queen of Scots would marry the Duke of Norfolk, and depose Elizabeth, becoming queen herself. This plan was supported by the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland.

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4
Q

How did the marriage plan between Mary QoS and the Duke of Norfolk fail?

A

Elizabeth found out and imprisoned the Duke of Norfolk. The two earls feared they would be executed for their involvement, so they rebelled.

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5
Q

What were the events of the Northern Rebellion in 1569?

A

Northumberland and Westmoreland took control of Durham Cathedral and held a Catholic Mass. They began to move south, aiming to restore Catholicism by overthrowing Elizabeth.

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6
Q

Why did the Catholic nobles’ revolt fail?

A
  • Northern landowners remained loyal to Elizabeth
  • Elizabeth raised an army to stop the rebels
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7
Q

Why was the Revolt of the Northern Earls significant?

A
  • Showed Mary Queen of Scots could not be trusted
  • Strengthened Elizabeth’s control over North England
  • Caused the Pope to excommunicate Elizabeth
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8
Q

Who was Roberto Ridolfi?

A

Italian banker living in England He worked as a spy for the Pope.

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9
Q

What was the plan for the Ridolfi Plot?

A

In 1571, he plotted to murder Elizabeth, launch a Spanish invasion, and put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne. Mary would then marry the Duke of Norfolk.

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10
Q

What were the early events of the Ridolfi Plot?

A
  • In March 1571, Ridolfi went to the Netherlands to discuss the plot with the Pope, King Phillip II and the Duke of Alba
  • Ridolfi had a letter signed by the Duke of Norfolk in which Norfolk pledged to lead the rebellion with Phillip II’s support
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11
Q

What was Alba’s role in the Ridolfi Plot?

A

He was instructed by Phillip II to prepare 10,000 troops to send to England to overthrow Elizabeth.

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12
Q

Why was the Ridolfi Plot unsuccessful?

A

Sir William Cecil discovered the plot and was able to prove that the Duke of Norfolk was guilty of treason.

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13
Q

How did Elizabeth respond to the Ridolfi Plot?

A
  • Elizabeth executed Duke of Norfolk in 1572
  • Despite Parliament’s demands of executing Mary QoS, Elizabeth refused sinces Mary was anointed
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14
Q

Why was the Ridolfi Plot significant?

A
  • It reinforced the threat from Spain and Mary Queen of Scots
  • It resulted in Catholics being monitored more closely and treated more severely
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15
Q

Who was the French Duke of Guise?

A

Mary Queen of Scot’s cousin and the brains behind the Throckmorton Plot.

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16
Q

What was the plan for the Throckmorton Plot?

A

In 1583, the French Duke of Guise was going to invade England, free Mary and make her Queen. This would restore Catholicism.

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17
Q

What was the role of Phillip II in the Throckmorton Plot?

A

He was prepared to provide financial support for the conspiracy, which the Pope approved of.

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18
Q

Who was Francis Throckmorton?

A

He was an Englishman who would act as a go-between with Mary Queen of Scots and the plotters.

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19
Q

Why did the Throckmorton Plot not succeed?

A

Sir Francis Walsingham discovered the plot and put Throckmorton under surveillance. Later, they found papers that revealed his role in the plot and executed him in 1584.

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20
Q

What was the significance of the Throckmorton Plot?

A
  • Throckmorton’s papers revealed a list of Catholic sympathisers in England, confirming fear of ‘enemy within’
  • Highlighted threat of Spain again
  • 11,000 Catholics were imprisoned or kept under surveillance
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21
Q

What was the plan for the Babington Plot?

A

In 1586, the Duke of Guise (again) would invade England, murder Elizabeth and put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne. Phillip II and the Pope supported the plot too.

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22
Q

What was the role of Anthony Babington?

A

He wrote to Mary Queen of Scots about the proposed plot.

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23
Q

Why did the Babington Plot fail?

A

Sir Francis Walsngham intercepted and read the letters being sent in beer barrels to Mary QoS. This showed her awareness and support for the conspiracy.

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24
Q

How did Elizabeth respond to the Babington Plot?

A
  • She sentenced Babington and other conspirators to death for high treason
  • Mary Queen of Scots was put on trial by the Privy Council and found guilty of high treason. She was sentenced to death in February 1587
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25
Q

What was the significance of the Babington Plot?

A
  • By 1585, Spain and England were virtually at war
  • Led to the execution of Mary Queen of Scots
  • Were mass arrests of recusants all over England
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26
Q

Who was Sir Francis Walsingham?

A

Elizabeth’s Secretary of State, also known as ‘spymaster’. He was a Puritan.

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27
Q

Why was Walsingham important?

A
  • Played a crucial role in uncovering plots against Elizabeth
  • His intelligence put continuous pressure on Elizabeth to execute Mary Queen of Scots
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28
Q

What three things did Walsingham do to be an effective ‘Spymaster’?

A
  • Created a network of spies and informants in every town
  • Used ciphers to code all his private letters to Elizabeth
  • Used paid spies abroad to gain knowledge on events
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29
Q

What other method did Walsingham use to get people to confess?

A

He tortured over 100 Priests and threatened many others with execution in his most serious cases.

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30
Q

What were three causes that led to Mary Queen of Scot’s execution?

A
  1. Her involvement in a series of plots against Elizabeth
  2. New Act passed by Parliament
  3. Rumours of Spanish invasion
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31
Q

Why did Mary Queen of Scot’s involvement in several plots lead to her execution?

A

Sir Francis Walsingham had gained enough evidence from the Babington Plot (letters exchanged between Mary and Babington) to put her on trial for high treason.

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32
Q

Why did passing a new law help Mary QoS get executed?

A

A new law called the ‘Act for the Preservation of the Queen’s Safety’ was passed, which barred Mary from the throne if Elizabeth was assasinated. Due to the many murder attempts Mary was involved with, she was convicted under this act.

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33
Q

Why did the threat of Spanish invasion lead to Mary Queen of Scot’s execution?

A

By the start of 1587, there were many rumours of a Spanish invasion. With Phillip II being heavily connected with plots involving Mary, the threat that Mary posed was heightened. This gave greater reasons for getting rid of her.

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34
Q

Why was the execution of Mary QoS important?

A
  • Removed a significant threat to Elizabeth
  • Executing an anointed monarch spurred Spain’s invasion of England as Mary had left her claim to the throne to Phillip on her death
  • Made Elizabeth’s heir more uncertain which increased chances of a civil war in the future
35
Q

What are the three main reasons why relations between Spain and England declined?

A
  1. Commercial rivalry
  2. Religious rivalry
  3. Political rivalry
36
Q

What was Spain’s background in trade?

A

By the 1570s, Spain had access to markets in China and Turkey but also the ‘New World’ (the Americas). This provided the Spanish government with vast amounts of gold and silver, but also control over tobacco and sugar cane trade.

37
Q

Why did Spain’s domination of the ‘New World’ cause tensions for England?

A

Spain’s control over the Netherlands meant that they were able to close major trade routes which barred England from reaching European markets. Moroever, a license from the Spanish goverment was needed to trade in the ‘New World’ which the English didn’t receive.

38
Q

How did Elizabeth’s actions further worsen Anglo-Spanish relations?

A
  • In 1572, Elizabeth hired Francis Drake as a privateer to raid Spanish colonies and bring valuables back
  • In 1580, Drake circumnavigated the globe and successfully plundered £400,000 of silver and gold from the ‘New World’
39
Q

What is a privateer?

A

English merchants financed by private investors to capture ships and their cargoes.

40
Q

Why did Elizabeth’s and Francis Drake’s worsen relations?

A
  • Elizabeth’s public knighting of Drake showed her defiance towards Spain’s domination of the ‘New World’
  • The loss of treasure meant that the Spanish government in the Netherlands went bankrupt, so it couldn’t pay its soldiers which angered Phillip II
41
Q

What were the religious tensions between England and Spain?

A

Phillip II was strongly opposed to Elizabeth as she was Protestant and he was a devout Catholic. This led to him being involved in many Catholic plots attempting to remove Elizabeth and Protestantism as a whole.

42
Q

How did Elizabeth exacerbate religious tensions between England and Spain over Netherlands?

A

Elizabeth outwardly condemned the Dutch Rebels (known as the Sea Beggars) but sheltered them and allowed them to attack Spanish ships. This showed that she was supporting fellow Protestants, which Catholic Spain saw as a danger.

43
Q

What role did Drake play in the Spanish Fury?

A

By 1576, the Spanish government were unable to pay Spanish troops in the Netherlands as their funds had been looted by Drake. This resulted in the Spanish Fury, where Spanish troops looted Antwerp.

44
Q

What event happened after the Spanish Fury?

A

After the looting, all Dutch provinces (Catholic and Protestant) joined an alliance against the Spanish, drawn up in a document called the Pacification of Ghent. It called for Spanish troops to be expelled from the Netherlands.

45
Q

How did Spain regain control of the Netherlands?

A

Phillip II put the Duke of Parmar in power to restore Spanish influences.

46
Q

Why did Phillip II see Elizabeth at fault for Spain’s near loss of the Netherlands?

A

He blamed Elizabeth for allowing English privateers to attack Spanish shipping.

47
Q

What three events led to the Spanish Armada?

A
  1. Newly-found power
  2. Death of Alencon
  3. Elizabeth’s acts of provocation
48
Q

Who signed the Treaty of Joinville in 1584?

A

The French Catholic League and Phillip II.

49
Q

Why was the Treaty of Joinville important?

Newly-found power

A

It created an alliance between the French and Spanish against Protestantism. This meant that Spain could attack England without risking war with France.

50
Q

How did Spain’s success in Portugal spur Phillip to launch the Armada?

Newly-found power

A

Spain acquired Portugal in 1580. This meant they had access to Poruguese ports and ships which could increase their chances of defeating England.

51
Q

Who was the French heir to the throne in the 1570s?

A

The Duke of Alencon.

52
Q

What did Elizabeth offer to the Duke of Alencon?

A

A marriage proposal.

53
Q

Why did Elizabeth offer to marry the Duke of Alencon?

A

She wanted to create an alliance between England and France to make Phillip II worry. She also encouraged Alencon to fight the Spanish.

54
Q

Why was Alencon’s death a relief for the Spanish?

A

He could no longer fight the Spanish, securing the victory of Spain’s Armada.

55
Q

What are two examples of Elizabeth’s actions provoking Spain?

A

She started sending troops to the Netherlands under Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. She ordered Francis Drake also continued attacking Spanish ships.

56
Q

What did Elizabeth sign to show her alliance with the Dutch in 1585?

A

She signed the Treaty of Nonsuch in 1585 with the Dutch rebels.

57
Q

What was agreed under the Treaty of Nonsuch?

A

Elizabeth would provide an army of 7,400 English soldiers led by Robert Dudley who would work with the rebels’ government - the Council of State.

58
Q

What was the outcome of Elizabeth’s campaign in the Netherlands?

A

Dudley only managed to disrupt some Spanish forces under the Duke of Parma. He also captured the deep-water port (Ostend) which was needed as a meeting point for the Armada later.

59
Q

Why was Elizabeth’s campaign in the Netherlands unsuccessful

A
  • Elizabeth was never fully behind the rebels (differing aims)
  • Damaged Anglo-Dutch relations
60
Q

How did Elizabeth not fully support her campaign in the Netherlands?

A
  • Elizabeth still hoped to negotiate with Phillip II, as they weren’t formally at war. Therefore, she didn’t give Dudley enough resources to defeat the Spanish.
  • Dudley wanted to liberate the Neherlands, while Elizabeth still wanted some form of Spanish control
61
Q

How were Anglo-Dutch relations damaged?

A

Some of Dudley’s officers defected to the Spanish side, making it hard for the Dutch to trust the English again.

62
Q

What were Elizabeth’s orders Francis Drake in 1587 and why?

A

Since 1586, Spain had been building up its Armada which would be used to invade England. Therefore, Elizabeth ordered Francis Drake to attack Spain’s navy.

63
Q

What did Drake do under Elizabeth’s orders?

A

Between 19-22 April 1587, he attacked Cadiz (a major Spanish naval port), destroying 30 ships and much of their provisions. This was known as the ‘Singeing of the King of Spain’s Beard’.

64
Q

What was the importance of Drake’s attack on Cadiz?

A
  • Delayed Spain’s preparation of its Armada by a year
  • Gave the English more time to prepare
65
Q

What are four reasons why Phillip II launched the Spanish Armada?

A
  1. Religious conflict
  2. Acts of provocation
  3. Politics and diplomacy
  4. Spain had the upper hand
66
Q

Why did religious conflict encourage the Spanish Armada?

A
67
Q

How did acts of provocation lead to the Spanish Armada?

A
68
Q

How did Spain have the upper and before the Armada?

A
69
Q

Why would having the upper hand motivate Phillip II to launch the Armada?

A
70
Q

What was Phillip II’s plan?

A
  • Ordered Duke of Medina-Sidonia to lead 130 ships armed with 2341 guns along the English channel to the Netherlands (where they would join forces with the Duke of Parma)
  • Together, they would transport 27,000 troops to Kent to attack London, depose Elizabeth and establish a Catholic government
71
Q

Why was the Armada such a threat?

A
  • If it succeeded, Elizabeth could loose her throne and possibly her life
  • English Protestants, including her privy councillors, would all be persecuted under Catholic rule
72
Q

When was the Armada spotted?

A

29 July 1588.

73
Q

How did the English respond to spotting the Spanish Armada?

A

The English fleet decided to follow the Spanish Armada.

74
Q

What battles took place during the Armada?

A
  1. The Battle of Plymouth
  2. The Battle of the Isle of Wight
  3. Battle of Gravelines
75
Q

What were five reasons for England’s victory over the Spanish?

A
  1. Communication issues
  2. Better weaponry
  3. Superior tactics
  4. Unseasonal weather
  5. Lack of Spanish resources
76
Q

How did communication issues lead to the Spanish Armada’s failure?

A
  • It took a week to for word to reach the Duke of Parma that Medina-Sidonia had arrived in the Channel
  • Lack of ports in the Spanish Netherlands made meeting up very difficult
77
Q

How did having better weaponry aid in England’s victory against the Armada?

A
  • English ships had lighter cannons and smaller guns, so they could be fired more quickly than the Spanish cannons
  • This meant that they damaged many more ships
78
Q

How did superior English tactics help them win against the Spanish?

A
  • At the Battle of Gravelines, Drake launched English fireships towards the Spanish harbour causing panic
  • As a result, the Spanish fleet scattered as they cut their anchors, thus failing to link up with the Duke of Parma.
79
Q

How did unseasonal weather play to Elizabeth’s advantage in the Spanish Armada?

A
  • Strong winds forced many un-anchored Spanish ships to rfit out into the North Sea
  • By the time the Spanish ships reached the Irish and Scottish coasts, they were wrecked by the weather or locals
80
Q

How did lack of Spanish resources lead to their defeat?

A
  • By early August, Spanish ships lacked supplies like cannon balls and all food provisions had rotten
  • These events damaged morale and Spain’s ability to fight the English
81
Q

What were three consequences of England’s victory over Spain?

A
  1. Strenghthened the Protestant cause in England
  2. Enhanced Elizabeth’s authority
  3. Stronger alliances in Europe
82
Q

Why did England’s triumph against Spain strengthen Protestantism

A

Their win suggested that God was on the side of the Protestants. A medal was struck saying: ‘God blew and they were scattered’. This persuaded Englishmen to accept Protestant rule.

83
Q

How did the defeat of the Spanish Armada increase Elizabeth’s authority?

A

The Queen was able to portray herself as a military leader through propaganda. This was reflected in portraits of her after England’s victory against Spain.

84
Q

How did England’s victory over Spain lead to stronger overseas alliances?

A

England’s win against the Spanish Catholics encouraged the Dutch rebels to renew their fight against the Spanish. This strengthened Anglo-Dutch relations and also damaged Spain’s reputation.

Early Elizabethan England (2 decks)

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